1953 Map of Wasco NW

About this map

Lurline Wells and a dense network of sporting camps define this section of the San Joaquin Valley during the mid-twentieth century. The landscape is heavily shaped by water management, dominated by the Alpaugh Irrigation District Canal and numerous unnamed wells and reservoirs that support the region's agricultural transition. The prominence of private recreation is evident through a remarkable concentration of hunting and fishing lodges, including the Pasuza Gun Club, Burbank Gun Club, and the 20th Century Fish & Gun Club. These clubs are clustered near Poso Creek, indicating the historical importance of seasonal waterways for local wildlife and sport. Infrastructure like the Smyrna Substation and roads such as Elmo Highway and Wildwood Road provide the framework for the rural development of Kern County as it appeared in the years following World War II.